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August 6, 2009

Georgia Herrera running for Racine County Circuit Court

It's easy to forget our local judges are elected officials. Attorneys rarely challenge incumbent judges and the judges themselves are rarely evaluated in any meaningful way. (For example, there's no way to quantify judges' rulings.) There have only been two contested judicial elections in Racine County in the past 10 years.

But when a vacancy appears on the bench, there tends to be a fight for the seat. That's what's shaping up for 2010, when at least two candidates will run to replace retiring Judge Stephen Simanek.

Local Attorney Georgia Herrera announced this week she's running for the seat, which comes with a six-year term. Attorney Gene Gasiorkiewiczhad earlier announced he's also running for the seat.

Herrera was one of five candidates to replace Judge Emmanuel Vuvunas in 2004. She won the primary, but lost in the general election to Judge John Jude.

Here's Herrera's full release:

Georgia Herrera Declares Candidacy for Racine County Circuit Court

Attorney Georgia Herrera announces that she is a candidate for Circuit Court Branch 2, that will become vacant in 2010, upon the retirement of Judge Stephen Simanek. Herrera is a native of Racine, born here in 1960, a 1978 graduate of Washington Park High School. Herrera graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1985.

Georgia Herrera has a long history of service to the community and will campaign vigorously in an effort to maintain her commitment to public service. Herrera has practiced law for 24 years, spending the last 10 years serving her community as a judicially appointed Racine County Circuit Court Commissioner. Herrera prosecuted felony, misdemeanor and all other criminal law violations as an Assistant Racine County District Attorney for 11 years. Herrera served in high volume criminal and family law courts and has proven that she is a dedicated public servant practicing in all areas of the law.

Georgia Herrera has also been very active in the community, recently serving as President of the Racine County Heritage Museum Board for a number of years. Herrera currently serves as Vice-President of Next Generation Now. Herrera was also just nominated to the National Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. Herrera previously served for a decade on both the Neighborhood Watch Board and the Taylor Home Board. She won the Racine County Bar Association Award for Community Volunteer in 2000.

Attorney Georgia Herrera previously ran for Judge in 2004, earning the greatest number of votes in the February primary narrowly losing in the general election. When asked what might be different in this election, Herrera responded, "I have almost 6 additional years experience court commissioning, making decisions judges would make, and representing clients in all courts in Racine County. This experience will serve me well."

Herrera, is married to local attorney Jeff Leavell; and has two children, Jennings age 14 and Theo 11.

As a court commissioner, Georgia has been doing the job of a judge for many years. She is highly qualified for this position and a fine person. She has our vote. Being willing to run twice and go through all the politics involved shows us she really wants to be a judge.

Qualified, hard working. I've seen her work in action. No question she SHOULD be elected for Racine. Assuming we want qualified and hard-working... too many people vote based on the wrong things. She will uphold the law.

Hopefully people in this city will be wise enough to vote based on experience and not race. The fact that Gene Gasiorkiewicz is a white man should not disqualify him--that's just racism. Look at their experience levels, then make a decision.

Sorry Anon 3:16. "I hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life and those life experiences".

That's what the newest Justice of the US Supreme Court said. The US Senate confirmed her. You can't be calling both the new Justice and the Senate racist, can you?

My family and I will support Georgia's candidacy to the fullest extent. Our support is based upon her unending integrity and extensive professional background. Our community will be well served by Ms. Herrera!

Georgia will make a great judge, so would Gene! The voters won't lose no matter which way they cast their ballot. I will vote for Georgia, pleased that Racine won't lose out no matter who the winner is.

My family member was a victim of crime when Georgia was in the DA's office. She came to our aid when no one else would. Others working in the system just wanted to "get it over with." When I look at her experience and the jobs held by her opponent, side by side, the choice is an easy one. I will vote for Georgia Herrera. (Enough of these personal attacks that have nothing to do with the choice of a judge.)

Georgia and I worked together for five years at the DA's office. Gerogia was always available to answer my questions and give advice to me a new attorney. She has just the right combination of experiences that make her the best candidate for the job. With Georgia on the bench Racine will have the benefit of having a knowledgable and fair judge. Georgia lives her values.

Georgia is an upstanding woman of high moral character. If she can withstand accusations of seeking only money, she can certainly serve Racine county well. Her time in the court system has given her the insight of what our county needs in a judge.

I believe in Georgia Herrera, she has dedicated her life to this community, a place she calls home. Georgia has a wealth of family and friends as well as almost all of the law enforcement community within this county; that trusts her and knows she will do a fantastic job for the constituents of Racine County. Her extensive legal experience as well as her long standing excellent relationship with law enforcement agencies has earned her my support, I hope it earns yours also. Look at the endorsements below: if the majority of law enforcement trusts her to look out for justice within our communities, I believe we should trust her too.February 11, 2010 - Press Release RACINE COUNTY SHERIFF ROBERT CARLSON ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE February 11, 2010 - Press Release RACINE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL NIESKES ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE February 11, 2010 - Press Release WISCONSIN TROOPERS ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE February 19, 2010 - Press Release RACINE COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFFS PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE February 19, 2010 - Press Release CITY OF BURLINGTON ACTING POLICE CHIEF MARK ANDERSON ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGEFebruary 19, 2010 - Press Release CITY OF RACINE POLICE CHIEF KURT WAHLEN ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGEMarch 2, 2010 - Press Release TOWN OF WATERFORD POLICE CHIEF TOM DITSCHEIT ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGEMarch 9, 2010 - Press Release CITY OF RACINE POLICE STAFF OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGEMarch 9, 2010 - Press Release RACINE POLICE ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE So this April 6th please vote for Georgia Herrera

I am aligned with you, the law enforcement endorsements are meaningful and relevant. Georgia Herrera has the experience needed to be Racine County's next judge! In addition to her professional experience, Georgia displays unending character and integrity!!